Fastening block for mounting objects on a profiled rail

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a fastening block for mounting objects on a profiled rail (12) having an at least approximately rectangular cross-section. The fastening block comprises a housing part ( 14 ) with at least one claw ( 26 ), which is fixed to the housing and reaches over the profiled rail ( 12 ) so that the housing part (14) rests against two faces of the profiled rail ( 12 ) via contact surfaces that are parallel to the profiled rail ( 12 ). The fastening block also comprises an L-shaped moving clamping part ( 28 ) which, with its first L-limb ( 30 ), is mounted on the housing part ( 14 ) in a manner that permits it to pivot about a first axis ( 32 ) that is parallel to the contact surfaces and which is pretensioned into a clamping position in which it reaches around the profiled rail ( 12 ) with its second L-limb ( 34 ) provided in the form of a claw. Lastly, the fastening block comprises a tightening device ( 40, 46, 72 ) for tightening and blocking the clamping part ( 28 ) in the clamping position. A draw rod ( 40 ) is coupled to an actuating extension ( 36 ) of the first L-limb ( 30 ) of the clamping part ( 28 ) in a manner that enables it to pivot about a second axis ( 38 ) that is parallel to the first axis ( 32 ), said actuating extension being aligned radial to the first axis ( 32 ). The draw rod extends approximately parallel to the second L-limb ( 34 ). The tightening device has a tightening screw ( 72 ) that is coupled to the draw rod ( 40 ) while being resistant to tensile forces and is directly or indirectly supported on the housing part ( 14 ).

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening block for mounting objectson a profiled rail with at least approximately rectangular crosssection; it comprises a housing part with at least one housing-attachedclaw, which is intended for overlapping the profiled rail in such amanner that the housing part with application surfaces which areparallel to the profiled rail is applied against at least two surfacesof the profiled rail, a L-shaped movable clamp part which is attachedwith a first L leg on the housing part in a manner so it can be swiveledabout a first axis which is parallel to the application surfaces and itis prestressed by means of a spring in a clamping position in which,with its second L leg which is designed in the form of a claw, itencloses the profiled rail, and a clamp device for clamping and stoppingthe clamp part in the clamping position.

[0002] A fastening block of the above-mentioned type is known, forexample, from DE-A-31 49 219. Such fastening blocks are used, forexample, for mounting accessory devices to an operating table. Care mustbe taken in the process to securely mount these accessory devices on theprofiled rail, and to allow for the rapid and simple actuation of thefastening blocks.

[0003] In the known embodiment, the clamp part is attached to thecylindrical section of a bolt, which is eccentric with respect to theswivel axis, and which is connected in a torque-proof manner to anadjustment element. Because of this attachment of the clamp part, thelatter can be swiveled not only with respect to the housing part, butalso be moved vertically to a swivel axis. This allows the possibilityof placing the fastening block with clearance on the profiled rail andthen to pull the clamp part by a rotation of the bolt and withelimination of the clearance onto the profiled rail, so that aclearance-free seat of the fastening block on the profiled rail isensured.

[0004] In the known fastening blocks, the housing part is integrallyconnected to the accessory part which is to be applied on the operatingtable, that is, for example, by welding. Because the bearing bolt forthe clamp part extends through two parallel surfaces of the housingpart, only relatively few surfaces are available on the housing part forconnection with an accessory part. Moreover, the same fastening blockcannot be connected as desired with different accessory parts.

[0005] The invention is based on the problem of providing a fasteningblock of the type mentioned in the introduction, which can be used formultiple purposes, ensures a secure mounting on the profiled rail andcan be actuated in a simple and rapid manner.

[0006] The problem is solved according to the invention by coupling apull rod to an actuation projection which is directed radially towardthe first axis and which belongs to the first L arm of the clamp part,about a second axis which is parallel to the first axis, where the pullrod extends approximately parallel to the second L leg, and by the factthat the clamp device has a clamping screw, which is coupled in a mannerwhich allows tension to be applied to the pull rod and which is directlyor indirectly braced on the housing part. The fastening block accordingto the invention guarantees, just as does the fastening block known fromDE-A-31 49 215, a secure mounting on the profiled rail, even withoutprestressing and stopping the clamp part. However, the solutionaccording to the invention offers a greater reliability because theclamping screw cannot be sufficiently loosened by an accidental motionto allow the lifting of the fastening block from the profiled rail. Inthe known solution, in which the clamp part is clamped only by a 90°rotation of an eccentric bolt, the latter can be misadjusted due to anunintentional movement out of the clamping position into its releaseposition, and thus the fastening block can be loosened. Furthermore, inthe solution according to the invention the first L leg forms a two-armlever, to one end of which the second L leg which is applied against aprofile rail is attached, and with whose other end the pull rod engages.In connection with the thread gearing of the clamping screw, a very highclamp torque can thus be transferred to the clamp part in a simplemanner. An additional advantage of the solution according to theinvention consists in that the clamping device requires only one surfaceof the housing part, so that the other surfaces of the housing part areavailable for integral connection to an accessory part to be mounted.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the pull rod is coupled with aclamping sleeve, which can be axially shifted in a housing guide whichis coaxial to the pull rod axis, which has, in a section which extendsat least partially out of the housing part, a perforation which isoriented perpendicularly to its axis and which, at its axial externalend, has a coaxial threaded bore which intersects the perforation, andinto which a clamping screw provided with a handle engages.

[0008] The solution offers the possibility of introducing into theperforation of the clamping sleeve, a rod which is connected to theaccessory to be mounted, and the possibility of not only clamping theclamp part with the clamping screw, but also including in the clampingthe rod which is connected to the accessory part. In the process, therod is pressed against the external end of the housing guide, which canbe formed from a pipe section in which a recess which is open to theexternal axial end of the pipe section is formed, which is brought to aposition so that it covers a part of the perforation cross section inthe case of an axial shift of the clamping sleeve. The clamped rod thusnot only passes through the perforation in the clamping sleeve, it alsoengages in the recess in the pipe section of the housing guide in such amanner that it is fixed in its position relative to the housing part.

[0009] The pipe section can be designed as a toothed ring, which isremovably connected to the housing part and which presents, on its endwhich is turned toward the housing part, a toothing which engages with acounter toothing on the housing part. This allows a rotation of the pipesection relative to the housing part and thus a change in the positionof an accessory part relative to the housing part of the fasteningblock, where, as a result of the engagement of the toothing and thecounter toothing, a given position of the pipe section can be securelyfixed.

[0010] It is preferred for the pull rod to present, at its free end, ahead which is radially broader compared to the rod shaft, whose surfaceturned toward the rod shaft is designed in the form of a segment of aspherical surface and which is intended for application to acomplementary shaped bearing surface of the clamping sleeve, which, likea ring, surrounds the pull rod. As a result, it is not only possible torotate the clamping sleeve about the axis of the pull rod, for example,to change the adjustment of a clamped accessory part relative to thefastening block, one can also carry out a swivel motion of the pull rodrelative to the clamping sleeve, because the pull rod, during anadjustment of the clamp part, performs not only a purely axial movementbut also a swivel movement, whereas the clamping sleeve in the housingguide can only be shifted axially.

[0011] In a second embodiment of the fastening block according to theinvention, which is intended for an integral connection of the housingpart with an accessory part, the clamping screw is in a direct threadedengagement with the pull rod. For this purpose, the clamping screw, forexample, surrounds a threaded sleeve which is rotatably braced on thehousing part and provided with a handle, and which has an internalthreading, in which the pull rod provided with an external threadingengages. In order to allow, in this case as well, a simultaneous axialand swivel movement of the pull rod during the adjustment of the clamppart, the support surface of the threaded sleeve is advantageouslyformed as a segment of a spherical surface, which is applied against acomplementary shaped bearing surface of the housing part.

[0012] Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention areobtained from the following description, which explains, in connectionwith the drawing in the appendix, the invention with reference to twoembodiment examples. In the drawing:

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a partially schematic perspective view of a firstembodiment of a fastening block according to the invention,

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a section through the fastening block along lineII-II in FIG. 1, which section contains the axis of the clamping screwand is oriented perpendicularly to the swivel axis of the clamp part,

[0015]FIG. 3 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a second embodimentof the fastening block according to the invention, and

[0016]FIG. 4 shows a section corresponding to the section according toFIG. 2, through the fastening block along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

[0017]FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fastening block bearingthe general reference numeral 10, which can be attached on a profiledrail 12 which is indicated with a broken line and which has arectangular cross section, where the profiled rail serves for themounting of different accessory parts, not shown, on the profiled rail12. The profiled rail 12 can be arranged, for example, along thepatient's bedding surface of an operating table.

[0018] The fastening block 10 has an approximately cubic housing part 14with a front side 16, a cover surface 18, side surfaces 20 and 22 aswell as a floor surface 24. On the back side of the housing part 14, ahousing-attached claw 26 is formed, which can overlap the profiled rail12 in the manner represented in FIG. 2, when the fastening block isplaced on the profiled rail 12. The housing-attached claw 26 isassociated with a movable clamp part 28, which, in the representation ofFIG. 2, has a L-shaped profile and which is attached, in a manner so itcan be swiveled, with one of its L legs 30 to a shaft 32 which passesthrough the side walls 20 and 22. The other L leg 34, is also designedin the form of a claw and it grabs under the profiled rail 12, as can beseen in FIG. 2. The clamp part 34 is prestressed by a spring 36, whichis braced, on the one hand, on the wall of the housing part 14 and, onthe other hand, on the clamp part 28, in the clamping positionrepresented in FIG. 2.

[0019] The first L leg 30 of the clamp part 28 has a projection 36 whichprojects above the shaft 32, to which a pull rod 40 is attached in amanner which allows swiveling about an axis 38 which is parallel to theshaft 32. The latter pull rod has a shaft 42, on whose free end, a head44 is formed whose diameter is larger than that of the shaft 42. Thepull rod 40 engages in a clamping sleeve 46, which is coaxial to it, andwhich is led in a manner so it can be axially shifted in a guide 48formed in the front wall 37 of the housing part 14. The head 44 of thepull rod 40 has, on its bottom side which is turned toward the axis 38,a segment of a spherical surface 50, and it lies against acomplementarily shaped bearing surface 52, which concentricallysurrounds the pull rod 40, and which is formed inside the clampingsleeve 46. The clamping sleeve 46 can freely rotate inside the guide 48of the housing part 14 about its axis and it can be shifted in the axialdirection, where the axial movement in the pull out direction, that isin the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2, is limited by the abutment ofan end section 54, with larger diameter, of the clamping sleeve 46 on astep 56 in the guide 48.

[0020] The clamping sleeve 46, in its area which at least partiallyextends out of the guide 48, presents a perforation 58 which extendsperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the clamping sleeve 46 andthrough which a mounting rod of an accessory part, not shown, which isto be clamped in can be inserted. The external part of the guide 48 isformed by a toothed ring 60, which can be axially shifted on theclamping sleeve 46 and which is connected in a torque-proof manner withthe clamping sleeve 46 by a radial pin 61, which engages in anaxis-parallel groove of the clamping sleeve 46, and which, on its axialend turned toward the housing part 14, presents a toothing 62 which isin engagement with a counter toothing 64 formed on the housing part 14.Furthermore, the toothed ring 60, on its axial end which is turnedtoward the housing part 14, presents a recess 66 which is designed insuch a manner that it can be brought in a position where it covers apart of the cross section of the perforation 58, as shown in particularin FIG. 1. Thus, a rod which is inserted into the perforation 58, alsopartially engages in the recess 66.

[0021] At its end which is far from the housing part 14, the clampingsleeve 46 has a threaded bore 68 which is coaxial to the longitudinalaxis of the clamping sleeve 46, into which a T-screw 72 is screwed,which is connected to a bar 70.

[0022] During its use, the fastening block 10 is placed transverselyfrom above with the claw 26 formed on the housing part 14 on theprofiled rail 12. The claw shaped second L leg 34 of the clamp part 28is then in a position applied on the profiled rail 12. As a result ofthe geometric arrangement of the clamp part 28, a torque is generatedwhich swivels the clamp part 28 in the opening direction when the placedfastening block 10 is pressed downward in its horizontal position. Theclamp part 28 is then opened and finally it snaps over the bottom marginof the profiled rail 12 in the position represented in FIG. 2. When theclamp part 28 encloses the profiled rail, the closure of the claws 26and 34 on the profiled rail 12 is supported by the spring or springs 36,by means of which the clamp part 28 is clamped against the profiled rail12. In this situation already, torques of any magnitude within the rangeof admissible loads acting about any of the axes can no longer loosenthe generated closure. Thus, one safety factor is already provided inthe condition without clamping.

[0023] If an accessory part carrying rod is then inserted in theperforation 58 of the clamping sleeve 46, and the T-screw 72 is turnedwith the help of the bar 70, then the space between the toothed ring 60and the accessory rod is shortened. If the space has been decreased insuch a manner that no place remains between the T-screw 72, theaccessory rod and the toothed ring 60, the clamping sleeve 46 moves awayfrom the profiled rail. As a result, the pull rod 40 is also pulled inthis direction, that is in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2. As aresult, the clamp part 28 in FIG. 2 is again swiveled clockwise, that iswith its L leg 34 clamped against the profiled rail 12. The fasteningblock 10 is then stopped at the profiled rail 12. One can see that,prior to tightening the T-screw by the gearing of the toothed ring 60,any rotational position of the accessory rod relative to the housingpart 14 can be preselected and adjusted; this position can then be fixedin a manner which does not allow shifting by tightening the T-screw 72.

[0024] The separation of the fastening block 10 from the profiled rail12 is carried out by again turning the T-screw 72 open, until theinserted accessory rod can be pulled out of the perforation 58. By axialpressure against the T-screw 72, the clamping sleeve 46 is shifted intothe housing part 14, in a direction opposite that of the arrow A. Theclamping sleeve 46 then presses against the L leg 30 of the clamp part28, as a result of which the latter is swiveled counterclockwise in FIG.2, that is in the opening direction. The fastening block 10 can then belifted from the profiled rail 12, by being swiveled upward and awaywhile the clamp part 28 is kept open.

[0025] As shown in the above description, the fixation of the fasteningblock 10 on the profiled rail 12 and the clamping of an accessory partcan be carried out conveniently and very simply from the front by asingle operational element in a single clamping process, that is theT-screw can also be easily reached. After the placement and snapping inof the fastening block on the profiled rail 12, a secure positive lockis already achieved and a certain degree of adhesive force of thefastening block 10 on the profiled rail 12 is present, acting againstthe shifting of the block along the rail. As a result of torques whichare generated by the clamped in accessory, there is an increase in theclamping force of the fastening block on the profiled rail. Tolerancesof the profiled rail 12 can be conveniently compensated by the threadfor clamping the accessory. The fastening block can be convenientlyreleased by an axial pressure on the clamping screw or T-screw 72 andsimultaneous tipping away of the profiled rail 12.

[0026] In the fastening blocks which are represented in FIGS. 3 and 4,identical parts are again provided with identical reference numerals.This fastening block is intended for the positive connection withaccessory parts, that is the accessory parts are, for example, welded tothe fastening block. This fastening block differs from the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2 in its clamp device.

[0027] On the free end of the pull rod 40, a ring 74 is applied, whichis provided with an external thread and which engages in a threaded bore76 in the clamping sleeve 46. The clamping sleeve 46, on its side whichis turned toward the housing part 14, presents a segment of a sphericalsurface 78, which is applied against a ring shaped and complementarilyshaped bearing surface 80 formed on a housing-attached ring 82. As aresult, the clamping sleeve 46 can follow the swivel movement of thepull rod 40 during the adjustment of the clamp part 28. The applicationof the fastening block on the profiled rail 12 and the clamping andstopping of the clamp part 28 are carried out in the same manner as forthe first above described embodiment. To remove the fastening block fromthe profiled rail 12, the clamping sleeve 46 which acts as T-screw, isturned in the opening direction and then pressed in the direction ontothe profiled rail 12. As a result, the clamp part 28 is swiveled overthe pull rod 40 in the opening position, that is counterclockwise inFIG. 4, so that the fastening block 10 can be conveniently removed fromthe profiled rail 12.

1. Fastening block for mounting objects on a profiled rail (12) with atleast approximately rectangular cross section, comprising a housing part(14) with at least one housing-attached claw (26), which is intended foroverlapping the profiled rail (12) in such a manner that the housingpart (14) with application surfaces which are parallel to the profiledrail (12) is applied against at least two surfaces of the profiled rail(12), a L-shaped movable clamp part (28) which is attached with itsfirst L leg (30) on the housing part (14) in a manner so it can beswiveled about a first axis (38) which is parallel to the applicationsurfaces and it is prestressed in a clamping position in which, with itssecond L leg (34) which is designed in the form of a claw, it enclosesthe profiled rail (12), and a clamp device (40, 46, 72) for clamping andstopping the clamp part (28) in the clamping position, characterized inthat, on an actuation projection (36) which is oriented radially to thefirst axis (32) and which belongs to the first L leg (30) of the clamppart (28), a pull rod (40) is coupled in a manner so it can be tiltedabout a second axis (38) which is parallel to the first axis (32), whichpull rod extends approximately parallel to the second L leg (34), and inthat the clamp device has a clamping screw (72), which is coupled in amanner to allow the application of tension to the pull rod (40) andwhich is braced directly or indirectly on the housing part (14). 2.Fastening block according to claim 1, characterized in that the pull rod(40) is coupled with a clamping sleeve (46), which is guided in a mannerwhich allows axial shifting in a housing guide (48) which is coaxial tothe pull rod axis, which has a perforation (58) which is orientedperpendicularly to its axis, in a section which extends at leastpartially out of the housing part (14), and which has, in its axiallyexternal end, a coaxial threaded bore (68) which intersects theperforation (58), into which bore a clamping screw (72) provided with ahandle (70) engages.
 3. Fastening block according to claim 2,characterized in that the external end of the housing guide (48) isformed by a pipe section, in which a recess (66) is formed which is opentoward the axial external end of the pipe section, and which, during anaxial shift of the clamping sleeve (46) comes into a position where itcovers a part of the perforation cross section.
 4. Fastening blockaccording to claim 3, characterized in that the pipe section is designedas a toothed ring (60), which surrounds the clamping sleeve (46) andwhich, on an end which is turned toward the housing (14), presents atoothing (62) which engages with a counter toothing (64) on the housingpart (14).
 5. Fastening block according to one of claims 2-4,characterized in that the pull rod (40), at its free end, has a radiallybroader head (44) compared to the rod shaft (42), where the surface ofthe head which is turned toward the rod shaft (42) has the shape of asegment of a spherical surface (50) and is intended for applicationagainst a complementarily shaped bearing surface (52) of the clampingsleeve (46), which, like a ring, surrounds the pull rod (40). 6.Fastening block according to claim 1, characterized in that the clampingscrew (46) is in direct threaded engagement with the pull rod (40). 7.Fastening block according to claim 6, characterized in that the clampingscrew surrounds a threaded sleeve (46) which is rotatably braced on thehousing part (14) and provided with a handle (70), and which has aninternal thread (76) in which the pull rod (40), which is provided withan external thread (74), engages.
 8. Fastening block according to claim7, characterized in that the support surface of the threaded sleeve (46)is designed in the shape of a segment of a spherical surface (78), whichis applied against a complementarily shaped bearing surface (80) of thehousing part (14).